Despite demonstrated examples of dubious leadership from the supervisory ranks upward, the SPD is still a paramilitary organization with a chain of command.

Lawful orders, instructions and protocols must be obeyed, or the option is to seek employment elsewhere.

The federal settlement, intended to address genuine complaints and perceptions of civil-rights abuses by uniformed officers, has been endorsed, overseen and monitored by layers of competing and sympathetic interests.

The randomness of the lawsuit filed Wednesday suggests someone needs a hug, not legal relief.

Clearly there is stress involved in this job, so the SPD should be mindful of assigning too much overtime, especially as officers near retirement. Everyone must be aware of the tensions. No one wants to have to retire with, say, a disability.

Public attitudes are deeply and appropriately on the side of the first-responders in public service. Pushed too far, the next stop after sympathy is cynicism.

Those fires were fueled by the incidents and frustrations that brought the DOJ to town in 2011. Real civil-rights grievances.